
It: 



."m 



#» 



•►•^sjife. 



.«^. 






V 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



ap — %rJB{/t:|tt. 



Shelf XXSi.6 

UNITED STATES OF AMEKIOA. 





'A 







THE 



^<. ?LASr/o^^ 



EXPLAINED "^^^ X 



\ 




WITH N\ 



New Method of 



^S EMBOS^ 



= =. = = =.=. l^ '* i. 
New York. 





o,G>^ 



\\ 






Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1893, 

by A. M. Ernsbekger, 

in the ofiice of the Librarian of Congress, 

at Washington. 



(^ 




r' 



oi3 



■^a 



Perfokatp:u Stench. xVlpiiabets. 

1 doz. alphabets, assorted styles, 

large, mediiiin aud small, - .50 

1^ doz. alphabets, special, assorted 

styles, 1 ill. to 8 ins., - .35 

}4 doz. alphabets, si)ecial, assorted 

styles, % ill. to l)o ius., - .25 

PEllFORATED StPJNCIL OkNAMENTS, 

1 doz. assorted designs, • .40 

>^ " " " large, .30 

% " " " small, .15 

Carbon Paper, 5 x 10, half doz. sheets, .20 

Stencil Pounces, each - - .15 

" Powder, per box, - .15 




TO PRINTERS. 



This little booklet, which is fur- 
nished with our Plastique outfit, 
gives plain directions how to use 
it for embossing and decorative 
purposes. The ingenious printer 
will discover new values and new 
fields for it as he becomes familiar 
with its use. 

AYith a view of making the out- 
fit entirely practical in the hands 
of our patrons, its planning was 
entrusted to a skilled expert who 
has had a long and successful ex- 
perience in this line of work and 
by whom the directions were i)re- 
pared. 
Morgans & Wilcox Mfg. Co., 

MIDDLETOWN, N. Y. 



PLASTiaaE. 



Art is deceptive, and in most 
instances is excellent only in i3ro- 
portion to the completeness of the 
deception. Hence, Plastiqne ap- 
pears incognito in many articles 
of merchandise, both ornamental 
and useful — the casual observer 
never suspecting the genuineness 
of many goods displayed. 

Plastiqne, as used in sign writ- 
ing and the great range of decor- 
ative work to whicli it is now ap- 
plied, is a secret, whicli, up to this 
date, is possessed only by a few. 

Its constantly increasing popu- 



larity, as well as tlie great diver- 
sity of its uses, is evidence suffi- 
cient that a brief expose of its 
mysteries will be appreciated by 
many whose vocation affords 
opportunities for using it with 
profit . 

As a novelty for advertising 
purposes, Plastique has a wide 
Held. "Hand-made" is always 
more attractive, api^arently more 
expensive, and in this instance is 
specially desirable because it 
affords considerable disi^lay at 
small expense. 

In the case of menus, pro- 
grams, dance orders, invitations, 
price cards, indoor signs, etc., it 
has no equal. No printer can af- 
ford to be without it. 

The first requisite for the prac- 
tice of the art is the most ordinary 
knowledge of the construction 



and shape of the letters of the 
alx^habet. The peculiar merit of 
Plastiqiie is its adaptation to gro- 
tesque and antique letters, nour- 
ishes, etc. 



DlHECTIOflS. 

( 1 ) Take of Plastique powder, 
nine ev^en measures, to which add 
four even measures of water, blood 
warm, and thoroughly mix in a 
tea -cup or bowl. 

( 2 ) Stir, mixing and working 
well under the spoon, for five or ten 
minutes. Do not let the composi- 
tion dry on the exposed surface 
of the vessel in which it is mixed, 
but keep clean and cover well 
with damp cloth. After a few 
minutes time allowed in whicli to 
season, in a moderately warm 



atmosphere, and then a.2:ain well 
stirred, if poured from a spoon 
slowly from a height into the disli, 
it should appear ropy and tena- 
cious, with the slightest tendency 
to pile up in the dish where it 
falls, though it should sink away 
to a level almost instantly if of tlie 
proper consistency. 

The slightest variation in tlie 
quantity of ' 'powder' ' or ' 'water, ' ' 
Avill retard, or facilitate, the How 
of the composition througli the 
tube. 

Before filling the bulb, how- 
ever, one of the small points, of 
requisite fineness, which accom- 
panies the outfit, should be insert- 
ed in the tube and gently pulled 
tightly into position with the 
thumb and finger. The bulb and 
tube carefully rinsed and permit- 
ted to drain for a few minutes, 



the composition again tlioronglily 
stirred together, is put into the 
bulb and the tube secured in 
I)lace. With the right hand 
grasping the bulb, and steadied 
by the left as shown in accom- 
panying illustration, the learner 
will proceed with the follow^ing 
exercises in the order designated : 

Moving the i3oint slowly, or 
squeezing the bulb harder, makes 
the lines heavier. A quick 
motion, pressing lightly on the 
bulb, makes thinner lines. The 
X)oint of the tube should barely 
touch the surface, or move evenly 
above the article being worked 
upon, as experience will best 
teach. 

Exercise I. Perpendicular par- 
allel lines, downward stroke, and 
horizontal parallel lines in pairs 
of equal length. 



II. Same as above, except the 
lines are swollen in the middle 
and tai)er toward each end. 

III. Same as first, but heavy at 
one end and light at the other, 
reversing light and heavy ends in 
each i^air. 

IV. Circles in pairs of equal 
size. 

V. Dots of uniform size. 
AVhen the above exercises can 

be executed with tolerable ease 
and certainty, the amateur may 
risk the effort of following lined 
or stenciled copy. 

A little practice in imitating 
certain styles of letters, wdiich 
have the general appearance of 
having been thrown loosely 
together, will afford the best x)os- 
sible training. The general rules 
for spacing and display, for relief 



by ornamentation, scrolls, etc., 
apply. Smearing the composi- 
tion on and working on it with 
the finger ends, or with common 
Jacket comb, combing it into all 
sorts of fantastic shapes, or with 
piece of coarse sjionge, or a well- 
worn whisk broom, working on a 
frame, j)ictnre mat, or advertising- 
card, the qnaintest resnlts are 
easily secnred. 

This general caution shonld be 
borne in mind at all times, viz : 

Before proceeding with any let- 
tering or decorative work, be snre 
that yon have a well dehned idea 
of Avhat you are about to do. If 
lettering, let the letters be ever so 
lightly indicated in pencil chalk 
or stenciled design, to insure pro})- 
er spacing, neatness and symetry. 



BfJONZlNG. 

Usually not more than one min- 
ute should elapse from the begin- 
ning of a letter or decoration, 
before the bionze is applied to 
that spot, as the drying prevents 
the proper adhesion of the bronze. 
Whatever of bronze, flitter, flock, 
etc., is to be applied, should be 
dusted on with a brush, the arti- 
cle hit sharply with the flnger 
tips a few times, to secure a com- 
2^1 ete contact of the bronze, after 
which it is instantly turned 
squarely upside down, and all 
excess of bronze jarred off. The 
Avork should lie perfectly level 
when drying, to prevent running. 
In a few hours it will be suffi- 
ciently dry to be brushed off* with 
a flne bristle brush, after which it 
nray be dusted and wiped clean 
with soft nuislin. 

12 



Some very beautiful euuibiuii- 
tions are easily produced with dif- 
ferent colored bronzes, flitters, 
etc. If the operator is careful to 
remove all excess of each applica- 
tion, the bright and telling con- 
trasts may be varied to suit each 
subject. Plastique work in colors 
alone may be quite ornamental, 
though with the application of a 
little bronze the effect is greatly 
heightened. Holding a card in a 
vertical position and quickly dust- 
ing on the bronze, so that it is 
caught only on one side of the let- 
ter or ornament, finishing with 
another color, produces the effect 
of delicate shadino- universally 
admired but seldom understood. 



13 



STEHCIliS. 

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING, ETC. 

Lay a sheet of carbon - coining 
paper on glass or other smooth 
level surface, and on it a piece of 
average weight, well-sized manilla 
paj^er, laying over all, the letter or 
design used as pattern, and trace 
Avitli hard jjencil or other smooth 
X)oint. When the whole design 
has been traced, the reversed 
copy on the manilla is to be 
punctured at slight intervals with 
a small pin point, after which the 
rough points in the stencil pat- 
tern sliould be lightlv brushed off 
with fine sand X3aj)er, in order to 
l)e sufficiently open to receive the 
stencil-jDOwder. 

In use, the stencil is laid upon 
the work to be nuirked, rough 
side up, and hehl in lAace with 



the lingers of tlie left hand, while 
with the right the pounce is 
brushed once carefully over the 
raised j^erf orations of the pattern. 
The use of too much color in 
the stencil-powder should be 
avoided on white or delicate sur- 
faces, as it is liable to soil the 
work in liand. Care should be 
taken not to smear and blur with 
too much rubbing. Too great a 
quantity of stencil-powder some- 
times prevents a perfect contact 
of the composition. 



Pl^ESS EIVTBOSSING. 

The era of jiress embossing has 
begun, and bids fair, in the wealth 
and extent of its productions, to 
outstrip the mania for chromos 
that for so . many years possessed 
tlie world. 

15 



/ 



Press embossing will not only 
stand on its own merits, but is 
certain to receive i>reat aid from 
all the color printing interests as 
well. The possibilities of press 
embossing in the near future are 
utterly beyond the reach of our 
imagination to-day. Only time 
and ingenuity will demonstrate it. 
The importance of " catching on " 
early, however, must be apparent 
to every printer. 

We offer herewith an inexpen- 
sive method for press embossing 
which, in careful hands, is sure to 
bring a fair return. 



If. 



PliflSTIQUE DIE SHEETS. 

These sheets are of recent 
invention, sj)ecially x^repared, and 
peculiarly adapted for use in the 
preparation of embossing dies for 
printers' use, with the Plastique 
outfit. They will be found equal 
to all reasonable requirements as 
to depth, fineness, hardness, dura- 
bility and facility of jorejia ration. 
They are i^ut up in packages 
suitable for mail or express, one 
dozen to the package, excepting 
the largest size, which is put up a 
half dozen to the package. Descrij^- 
tion as follows: 

JN'o. 1, 5 X 7 inches. 
" 2,7x10 " 
" 3, 10 X 14 " 

The x^rogressive j)rinter Avill 
iind the Plastique die sheets 
indisx)ensable where quantities of 



special designs are required at 
niiniiiium prices ; sucli as win- 
dow signs and other advertising 
cards, cliristmas cards, folders, 
programs, dance orders, folding 
boxes and sundry articles. These 
sheets used as herein directed 
constitute the Plastique die out- 
tit, which aifords the most econ- 
omical method ever offered to job 
printers for the production of this 
class of work. The total cash 
outlay for a dozen dies by this 
process being less than the usual 
price of a single die. In fact 
when this kind of business is now 
offered to the average printer "he 
is not in it." The distance to the 
engraver of embossing dies, the 
l)other, delay and expense, are 
real obstacles not easily overcome. 
The Plastique die oiitht opens up 
a new held for the progressive 

18 



printer, wherever lie may be, and 
lie can not fail to " catch on " at 
once, it' he will but make a trial 
of it. 



iDlHHOTlOfiS 
FOR PliflSTIQUE Pf^ESS 

EmBOSSiHG. 

Procure a thin, lirm card sheet, 
or strong paper on which the 
design is to be made, also a 
planei board, in thickness nearly 
type high, squared to a size an 
inch or two in excess of the space 
the design will cover. 

A warm room, warm dishes and 
warm soft water are conditions 
favorable to best results. 

Take one measure of water, put 
into a tea-cup, stir in two meas- 
ures of Press Embossing Plastique 
powder, and, when thoroughly in- 

19 



('or[)orated, add slowly Avliite 
"Plastique powder," stirring well, 
as much as will be possible to run 
freely from the tube and adhere 
well to the material to wdiich it is 
applied, showing but slight tend- 
ency to flatten out or run before 
setting. The design having been 
lightly traced on the card sheets, 
the operator will best succeed in a 
cooler room, as the setting wdll 
occur with less change, leaving a 
cleaner and better defined line. 
After a few hours, in a cool dry 
atmosphere, the design will be 
sufficiently hardened. In certain 
cases where an even surface is 
desired on the embossing, it may 
be secured as follows : 

When the setting has but 
slightly begun, the card sheet 
may be placed on an imposing- 
stone, and a thin sheet of w^axed 



20 



paper laid on the work. A level 
piece of glass may now l^e lightly 
laid upon the waxed paper, and 
pressed upon slightly to secure 
the desired surface, after which 
remove the glass, leaving the 
waxed paper until the hardening 
is complete, lest the design be 
injured in its removal. 

Gut a piece of die sheet to the 
size of the block before described, 
and put in a warm place until 
somewhat pliable, then holding it 
face down over a warm stove or 
radiator, until as warm as may be 
without sloAvly creeping when pla(;- 
ed in a vertical position. By this 
time the sheet should be quite 
pliable and capable of receiving 
an impression. The block having 
been properly locked in the form, 
the die sheet is glued to it. The 
desi^'u, which has been allowed 



sufficient time for liardening, is 
glued to the tympan in proper 
j)osition, and the die sheet is 
covered with one or two sheets of 
waxed tissue. 

Apply pressure slowly, and per- 
mit to stand until tlioroughly 
cooled. 

Work with light pressure, add- 
ing more as the wear x^'ogresses. 



TO EJVIBOSS POINTED 
JWflTTER. 

A simple method for embossing 
printed matter with the aid of 
Plastique is as follows : 

After the job is printed, stick 
two or three of the outer sheets of 
the tympan together with a little 
paste smeared between the sheets, 
at points Avhere the impression 



does not touch it, then take a well- 
inked impression from the form. 

Put the tympan in a horizontal 
position, and with a sharp knife, 
cut from the tympan sheet all 
traces of the ink, clean on the mar- 
gin of each letter. 

This makes a clean surface on 
which is to be laid with the ' ' tube ' ' 
neatly, Press Embossing Plastique. 
Being careful to lay on the i)r()i)er 
quantity, to and within the limits 
of each letter. 

It may be well in some instances, 
to flatten the design as described 
in another place. 

Take out the form and lock up 
in its place a block of hard wood, 
near tyjie high, on which, paste a 
die sheet, warmed to the propei* 
consistency, and a trifle larger 
than the space covered by the 
printing. This will serve as the 

23 



iivatrix of the die. Cover with a 
sheet of ^fWt9l^. tissue and iiiake 
tlie impression very slowly by 
hand poAver, and let the press re- 
main closed until the matrix is 
thoroughly cooled. 

If the construction of the press 
Avill not admit of jilacing the tym- 
pan in a horizontal position, the 
removal and return of the tynij)an 
sheet will be necessary and a care- 
ful adjustment or correction of the 
register. 



TlflT BLiOCKS. 

By the use of the Embossing 
Plastique sjjread on an electrotype 
base tint blocks of various unique 
designs may be made ''offhand,'' 
with great success. 

First clean the block well with 
alcoliol or strong vinegar, then 

21 



smear on tlie coiiqiosition. AA'heii 
dry, treat with a coat of shellac. 



PliASTIQUE SUPPliIES. 

It would be possible to instruct 
every user of Plastique in the pro- 
per prejDaration or indeijendent 
source of materials used. It would 
prove more injurious than bene- 
licial. Life is too short, time too 
valuable to beginners to attempt 
to improve at once on what is here- 
in ou'ered. 

AVe take a si)ecial x^ride in the 
success of all our x)atrons, and in 
this instance recommend tried ma- 
terials. They a.ie made as uniform 
in quality as only special facilities 
and long experience enable, and 
are afforded at reasonable prices. 



PfJICE-LiIST. 

PLASTIQUE SUPPLIES. 



Bulbs, each iucludiug several points aud 
probes assorted sizes, - - .50 

Plastique Powder, white, per lb., .60 

" " assorted colors, red, 

blue, greeu or yellow, each per lb., .To 

PiiEss Embossing Plastique Powder, 

per lb. - - - .75 

13RONZES, gold, blue, green, red or silver, 

per ounce, - - - .20 

Bromzks, assorted colors, six ounces, 

per package, - - - 1,00 

Plastique Die Sheets. 

5 X 7 inches, each, .75 perdoz., 6.00 

7x10 " " 1.25 " " 11.00 

10x14 " " 2.00 "3.^ " 10.00 

20 



^■*^ 



%*'^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 963 894 3 ^ 




